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It was around this time that 34-year-old Lythe called police to say he believed his car had been stolen.

“He said he could not speak as he was so sad, he had to go to the pub,” said prosecutor Emma Atkinson on Wednesday.

A claim for around £9,500 was later submitted by Lythe to insurance firm Hastings.

But Ms Atkinson said police and the insurance company “immediately became concerned about the truthfulness of the story”.

A pre-sentence report and two “glowing character references” were presented to Judge Howard Crowson, who was told how Lythe did not just work but “vigorously pursued his career”, and helped his grandparents.

Mitigating, Duncan McReddie said: “He’s never offended before. These offences are now 15 months old and are not stopping him working, and that is testament to the references you’ve received.

“The phrase ‘out of character’ is sometimes over used, but I cannot find a more apt expression to describe his behaviour.

“Circumstances overwhelmed him and panic set in. He has never even had a parking ticket before, to use another cliche.

“This escalated to extricate himself from a situation he never thought he would find himself in.”

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Judge Crowson told Lythe: “I’m rather sorry to see you here at Crown Court.

“Looking at your past employment history, and character references, I do not think anyone who knows you would expect to see you in a court, ever.

“You seem to have taken the full burden of responsibility your own shoulders.

“I don’t have any reason to believe you were the driver, or you set the car on fire.

“Your crime was to report it as stolen. Nobody believed you because you are not a good liar. That is a good thing, I think, because it is not in your nature.”

Judge Crowson said he had to weigh up whether it would be in the public interest to impose an immediate jail term, after Lythe, of St Paul’s Road, Thornaby, had admitted fraud and making a false police report.

But he decided to step back and suspend a 10 month sentence for one year, allowing him to walk from court.